Thane: Parents of a few students studying at Shri Mavli Mandal High School, Charai, protested outside the campus on Friday, over a sudden Rs 10,000 annual ‘facility fee’ for installing digital boards in classrooms. The parents complained against the sudden and ‘unjust’ demand raised by the school for paying Rs 10,000 per child every year as a ‘facility fee’. Parents said they absorbed a 15% fee hike last academic year but were not ready for this additional financial burden and sought relaxation.
“Parents were warned their children may not be allowed in the school next academic year. The marksheets of some students were also withheld until their parents gave a written commitment to pay the fees,” complained a protesting parent. MLC Niranjan Davkhare extended support to the issue, which was later escalated to the Thane district education officer, who has now called for a meeting with school officials and parent representatives next week. — Manoj Badgeri